Why I'm Marching January 21

While I've long held deep convictions regarding social justice, I've also thought of myself as someone who just doesn't have an "activist" personality. Throughout the bitter and divisive campaign season I had been conflicted between wanting to stand up for my values and wanting to keep quiet because of my hatred of conflict, my deep desire for approval and my discomfort with "rocking the boat." But when my mom mentioned wanting to go to the Women's March on Washington the day after soon-to-be President Trump's inauguration, I decided that I had to go with her (I had already been contemplating it). And because I've seen so much misinformation and so much maligning of protesters, I also decided I had to do my best to articulate why I and others are marching.

It's not to perpetuate division.

It's not because we are "snowflakes" who can't accept the results of a legitimate election.

It is in fact an act of courage, because for me the far easier thing would be to sit down and shut up.

It is in fact a way of us living out democracy and the rights enshrined in our Constitution and making sure our elected officials, all of them, hear our voices.


It seems that these are themes that many (NOT all) right-leaning folks have gone back to in criticism of protests/activism going back to the Occupy Wall Street Movement, through Black Lives Matter protests and protests of the Dakota pipeline to the Trump protests. And I can't speak for all protests or protesters, but I can say the Women's March isn't even primarily about Trump. It's not about mindless opposition of elected authority; it's about saying that although this man was elected in a democratic election, we don't support his values or agenda...but more so, it is about showing what we do stand for.

It's not just about women's rights either, but about human rights. Here is what the organizers of the March themselves say about why they are marching:


The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us - immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault - and our communities are hurting and scared. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

Yes, Trump isn't president yet, but again, this is about more than Trump. It is about empowering those who are hurting and scared in the wake of the election, and about holding elected officials accountable for their words and promises. It's not about refusing to give Trump a chance, but about reminding him that he is soon to be the leader of America with a duty to serve ALL Americans.


I don't expect everyone to agree with me. I'm not going to call those who disagree bigoted or stupid. But I do ask those who are serious about unity to listen and to likewise refrain from labeling, judging and name-calling (see snowflake).


As for me, I'm taking my example from Rosa Parks (not that I'm comparing myself to her in terms of impact!). She has been described with words ranging from "quiet" and "shy" to "introverted," "reserved" or "unassuming." But she didn't let that stop her from standing against injustice. So I'm done with the excuse of "not having an activist personality." This is something I stand for, and I'm done shying away from that.